LIFE CHANGES AND LOVING THEM

Since April, I have been dealing with being a ''long hauler''. 

Since having Covid-19, I still cant smell, my taste came back about three weeks ago but I continue to suffer with fatigue and the massive headache.

I'm a long hauler.

One thing that has gotten me through is my friends. The other thing that has gotten me through are books and the last thing that has gotten me through is cigars.

Yes, you read that right. CIGARS.

I camp a lot and some friends was telling me of the soothing effect that cigars have on their moods and how it just makes everything going on seem less important.

Expressing an interest, that I have always had, Walter and his wife Pam began telling me about the joy they experience when smoking cigars.

After they told me all of this; I told them that I wasn't sure I would be able to smoke it because I don't like inhaling.

That is when they told me that you don't inhale, you only puff. As in suck in a little then blow out. Even showed me and then they gifted me with my very first cigar. +TheStogieCo. Grape was the one they gave me and I loved it. I couldn't taste it, I felt it.

Yes, you feel the creamy, silky smooth vapor in your mouth. It feels like cold vanilla ice cream. Not that store brand ice cream, +HaagenDazs Vanilla. 

I have been in heaven ever since. Cigar heaven. 

It has helped me deal with the headaches and it has helped me deal with no smell. 

In the coming weeks, I will be talking to some people who smoke cigars and why they do, how they started and what it does for them. 

Stay with me cause this ride has just started.

This life change happened and oh, so did retiring after 27 years in the Charles County Public School System.

Yes, my life has changed and I am living my BEST LIFE.

What about you?

WHY NOT ME?

Just in time for the holidays?

I have seen all of the commercials for new cars, new laptops, new shoes, coats, hats.

Those commercials for furniture, kitchen appliances and washer/dryer combos.

So why not me?

So just in time for the holiday, take a look at my entry into: 

What to buy for the holidays. 

Christmas Commerical With B. Swangin Webster

Merry Christmas from me to you!

I'VE GONE AND DONE IT NOW!

Well, if you know me than you know that I have always wanted to be a talk show host. What you didn't know that? Then where have YOU been?

At the C3 conference I talked about how I wanted to do it and another author in the audience yelled out, "then why don't you?"

Hmm, well she was right. Why hadn't I done it. She was right. I had been talking about it forever! I had a new computer that had the capability to create great videos. I had great friends who would love the chance to sit down and talk to me and I had the personality to carry a 'show".

So I did it! I went and did it! I dragged a friend, ok, well not quite dragged but nagged him enough that he agreed to be my guinea, I mean my first guest on my show. Now the name of the show is The BSW Show because I do everything with BSW.

I sat down with my little sad bunch of flowers, a small table and two folding chairs and started talking.

+Austin Camacho was gracious in granting me an interview. The room was dimly lit and I talked a little to fast but my first 'show' is now on Youtube.

Click here, The BSW Show is live and hoping that you don't judge it to harshly....remember, I have a low budget right now and it will get better.

At least next time, it will be better lighting and the flowers won't be so small. So tell me what you think and be kind....

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN

Zombie Stomper

Now, you all know that my blog has everything to do with books, shoes and writing. But who would have thought that today, well actually last week, I would find these shoes. If you look very carefully you will see a +zombie face on the side of this shoe. The most shocking thing is...its called the "Zombie Stomper" Stiletto and it can be found at +ShoeDazzle

Yes, Shoe Dazzle has managed to find the one shoe that I would not wear. Not that it isn't cute as all get out, but I'm to damn scared of zombies. I don't want them to close to my feet.  I don't want them to be tempted to eat my toes and than I'd be fair game if I were to topple over and then they could have their way with my brains and do all matters of things to my face and their breath, my god it has to smell horrible!

Sure +Christine Verstraete is an expert in all things zombies but I am not. Her novel; Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie is all the rage this Halloween! It follows Becca as she tried to adjust to her life...well you get the book and read it for yourself.  Now back to the story.  When I happened upon this truck, I sent her the picture because I couldn't believe my eyes. First the truck, now shoes! I think something is happening and they are not letting me in on the secret.

Zombie Response Team Vehicle

See they want to lure me into believing that you can be stylish all while trying to cover your head to prevent the zombies from getting at your brain. Then they tell you to run away, which they wouldn't have to worry about that, and not to worry because zombies only move from side to side which makes it hard for them to keep up. They say move to higher ground because zombies can't climb stairs...Whatever! In the +TheWalkingDeadSeries they seem to do JUST FINE IN FINDING THE HEALTHY PEOPLE.  Ok, sorry for yelling but this is an emergency! These people, or zombies or whomever they are,  want us fashionable women to be lured into a false sense of security by purchasing these +Stilettos Stompers so that we can kill them with our shoes. ARE YOU CRAZY!

Lady Killer Fugg

First, any fashionable woman wouldn't kill zombies in our good shoes. Besides that green stuff will squirt out, yeah; I don't want that on my shoes! I barely want to walk in the rain with my nice shoes on. So instead I recommend these beauties on the right. See they are low enough so that you can keep your balance. Comfortable enough that your feet will stay warm and they even come with a flower to give the illusion that you want the zombies not fear you and then WHAM! 

You get them in the head and watch that green stuff fly, which won't matter in these beauties because these shoes are machine washable. Stomp away in these Lady Killer Fugg from +ShoeDazzle and your home will be safe from zombies. Than you can call the +ZombieResponseTeam to come and clean up the rest of that mess. 

Happy Halloween! 

WANTS VS NEEDS

Has there every been a time that you wanted something so bad, that you couldn't really do anything else but think about it.

Well I know that feeling and it can be good or bad. It's good because you get to feel the excitement of going after something that you really want. It's bad because if you don't get it; the let down is horrible.

In my life I have wanted things and gone after them and most of the time I have been very pleased with the outcome.

Until recently, I was very happy with the direction my life had taken and was very pleased with the way that I 'went after what I wanted."

Recently when I realized that I would not be able to have the one thing that I wanted, that is when  I knew what it felt like to be dejected and feel lost.

Had I lived in a fantasy world my entire life or had this one thing become more important to me than anything else?

I'm not sure what the answer to that question is because right now; I'm still feeling very overwhelmed by the sheer thought of not getting what I want.

The only solice that I have is that there will always be another day and I get a do-over. That and I can always make myself feel better with new shoes.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES.....

I know you didn't think I was done with the shoes, fun and all around good times that I had at +ThrillerFest, now did you?

I learned a lot of things on how to "Buzz My Book" from +MJ Rose and +Meryl Moss

They invited people to stand up and say one line about their novel..."but don't go into plot" MJ Rose warned, "or I will stop you."

After a few people went, I got a nudge from the president of Intrigue Publishing, to Buzz you book....I let one more person go by and when they announced 'we have time for a couple more'..I took the chance.

I sheepishly put my hand up and they picked someone else but then..it happened. MJ Rose called on me...I was up! It was my turn...dear lord, please don't let me become a rambling fool!  


I stood, straightened my shirt, pulled in a quick breath and said, "My name is B. Swangin Webster, but really its Sandra and I write under that name"...and then I felt myself getting ready to slip in the bumbling, rambling stage...I had to think quick or they were going to make me sit down.

I found the courage and said, "I'm working on a novel about twin sisters, who are killing off professional men and it's called The Stiletto Stalker." Whew..it was over, I couldn't sit down fast enough and then it happened.

They both lit up...well at least I think they did, and began to tell me how great that idea was and how I should find shoe stores, small ones at first and set up signings in there...+Zappos.com would be a great place...but not right now...maybe in the future...but according to Meryl..."that's such a great title...and great shoes".

Oh my gosh! She noticed my shoes....and you could peel me from the ceiling...Me and my green shoes were a hit...they gave me the confidence I needed to buzz my book...and I kept that momentum going all weekend. Yes...me and my shoes, made a big splash...

Now...to stop shopping for more shoes and finish #TheStilettoStalker before next year...

#THRILLER13-----ITS OVER

Can I tell you just how much fun I had at ThrillerFest...oh my gosh!

I have always had a great time there and this year was no different. Of course for me, it is always all about the shoes...and let me just tell you...I have to always be on point with my shoes...they are my way of branding myself.

First let's talk about the shoes...oh my...my shoes were a hit...and of course I knew they would be. I should be tooting my own horn, shouldn't I....give me a minute

  
BEEP BEEP BEEP

Now back to the business at hand.

I searched high and low for shoes that would make me the stand out in the crowd and you know, I found them. Imagine my surprise as I was standing in line to get one of the FREE...yes that's right FREE books that they were giving away and a woman walked up to me and said..."you are her...you're the woman on twitter with the shoes" I politely said "yes I am'' and she proceeded to say..."ok, let me see" a little dumbfounded I lifted my pant leg and she squealed...yes, she actually squealed. I am not kidding!

She then said, "I will be right back" and she did, she came right back with four other people who had "to see my shoes"

See this is one thing that I do well...shoes are my life! I know them like...well like the bottoms of my feet.

From the moment ThrillerFest started, everyone who saw me, didn't say hello; they said, "Ok, let me see them"...now if I a comedian, I could make that mean so many different things but I knew they were talking about my shoes...oh and trust me...when you see them...you will be envious ...yes, very envious!

Later this week, I will be talking about some rabbits with a 'bite'...and the woman that tries to tame them...

Dressing to the 9's or not so much

I had this discussion with a co-worker today.

When a woman is trying to be cute and sexy; when she crosses the line in to tramp'ville; does she know it?

My opinion is yes. How could she not.

Let's look at the look of the 60's. Shiny white go-go boots and micro minis were the rage and then came the 70's and bell bottoms ruled but the mini skirt still dominated. Then the 80's happened and everyone wanted to be in Gloria's jean or wanted to wear the horse on their...well rear. Then the 90's happened and what happened to fashion was a disgrace. Everything was too big, too low or too gawdy. Now we are in a new era. Tailored and skinny is the look.

A woman could get confused. I think through the years you have to wear 'age appropriate' clothing. Yes, the 60's saw the micro mini w/white go-go boots but you also didn't see a 60 year old woman trying to compete with the 20 or 30 year old. She might have worn that look but it was something in the way that she 'wore' that look.

Today's woman feels that she has to compete with those young women but ladies you don't have to. Be secure in knowing that men love a sexy, confident woman. Know that men want a woman that can give off confidence and sexiness without showing everything to everyone at anytime. So whether you have on skinny jeans or fitted jeans (yes there is a difference), know that you can be confident in knowing that a man will take notice.

Either you will dress sexy or dress trampy. Trust me there is a time for that...(i.e. bedroom or costume party) but

you have to pick one. Are you dressing sexy? Are you dressing trampy? Because you can't dress like both.

The simple things in life....

Are Free?
Yes they are!

I have gotten so much pleasure out of the simple things. Sure it is nice to have things. Like those new shoes or that new book or that new writing pen that makes your words flow like the river.

However, those things have to be replaced when they run out of ink, go out of style or the pages get worn (or in the case of the KINDLE; the battery dies)

Simple things cost us nothing. Like a smile, or a walk in the park or just around your neighborhood.

How many of us take a walk in our neighborhood just to see things that we pass every day on our way into our own small universe called, "home".

Since the weather has been nice, I have taken a walk in my neighborhood for the past three nights and have enjoyed it very much. The first night I listened to my Ipod but the second and third night I decided to listen to nature and really see the things that I was encountering on my walks.

I heard the birds and a woodpecker, well at least I think it was and I enjoyed my walk much more. Sure music was great but having the ear buds in didn't allow me to hear my surroundings.

Yes, believe the hype. The best things in life ARE FREE.

Never to young for shoes

In my world, where shoes rule everything around me, I am still amazed that things shock me as they do.

My youngest daughter will give birth to my fifth grandson in June and she is so excited. That's another story for the medical journals. She has been 'nesting' already, which for her is a huge deal. She has scoped out things she wants and has even gotten my grandson (name to be determined) into the act. She posted on FB that "my grandson saw the crib he would like to sleep in". That is so funny because he is only the size of a mango right now, but I digress.
She went window shopping this past weekend and today she showed me what she looked at. Cute little jeans and a cute little shirt from H and M and also some hats. NY Yankees blue and Pittsburgh but couldn't find the all elusive Dallas Star. Then she showed me the cutest pair of shoes. Ralph Lauren sneakers, just the cutest things I had ever seen.
Then she said, "well, your grandson HAD to have them, so I bought them". What? Uh, what? You bought him shoes already? Her response, "well, he gets it from his NINA (that would be me)
So, my new grandson will be just like my other grandchildren and have a love of shoes.
Well, they have to learn from someone and why not learn from the best, right?

What do you write in?

Rosemary, or Rosey to her closest friends, found me on LinkedIn when I sent an invitation to blog.

Today she tells us what she likes to wear when she is writing.When I blog I rest my feet in furry pink slippers on a built-in obsolescence model printer. Practically it is to save my knees and level my bottom. Metaphysically, what is it? Lowest upward – let us consider.

Obsolete printer? I have finished with cheapos bought from department stores. The days of pandering to the teaching profession with lush handouts produced spontaneously in the wee hours for belligerent students are gone. When the school door was firmly closed, I emptied the ink for a friend who shook over a forthcoming inspection then declared this object redundant. It stubbornly retained the label some months later when I repurchased ink for another purpose so now it is under my feet. Any future model will have to be laser, imperishable and funded. The old model signifies the fight for better facilities.

Pink fluffy slippers? These signify comfort, warmth and refusal to totally negate a young girl’s dream world with the harsh realities of advancing age. Slippers hug my feet with love, for my daughters supply them. They remind me to see a pretty image in the mirror even if I have to dim the light. They defy the cold and whisper to me of days in the Jamaican sun where feet never feel a chill. Slippers predict better days to come

Bottom always pressed into a hardwood chair, computer bound, several mornings a week? This signifies persistence. It is the only quality lauded by pundits as likely to succeed. Using this, I keep electronically communicable, approachable as an author, aspiring as a marketer and battling as a writer. My relief is a walking job for limited wages but my belief is in the profit that will one day flow from the balanced cheeks here firmly pressed.

Who ever said writing does not pay needed to add “yet”. We live in an age when centenarians are becoming average. In the old span of life we were ancient at seventy, now we are late middle-aged. Let us all build dreams for our extended phase.  With electronic literature, e-sales, pyramid promotions we must redress the march of time, the conformity to stereotype, the deterioration of the fiery spirit that fuelled us and find obsolescence to climb over, comfort to cling on to and visions to invest in. My seat at my computer does all these things. I’m sure yours is doing it for you too.

Thanks for sharing the positive promise of a writing life.

Thanks Rosey, I'm making myself her closest friend and for me; I like to wear...wait this isn't about me, is it?

What do you like to write in?

Let us know and while you are at it, why not stop by and check her out

http://roseythomaspalmerauthor.wordpress.com

Flip Flopped

On September 8th, I met this beautiful spirit named Jade Newman. First her earrings and necklace blew me away and secondly she spoke so eloquently that I knew she was a truly remarkable woman. She teaches yoga and it shows through her calmness. She had some great questions about the writing process and the dreaded editing process, that "has taken her more than a year to do because she always finds something wrong." She came up to me at the end of the presentation and we spoke about what she should do next. Instantly I knew I needed her to be a guest on my blog. Please welcome Jade Newman and her funny take on her journey into The Land of Flip Flops.
I am one of them.

You know, the mom roaming around Target weekday mornings in yoga pants and flip-flops; well after the workout is over. You see, I teach yoga. My yoga pants and toe liberating shoes are part of my work costume but even I realize that I’m trampling all over the sacred relationship between woman and shoe. I once took great pride in giving my 5’3 inch body a 4-inch boost in height. I wore black dressy stilettos traveling on the metro and turned my nose up at the sensible women in dress suits with sneakers. I used to drop it like it was hot to Biggie and Jay Z in the club wearing sexy leopard print pumps. Blisters were temporary, but the compliments I’d get about my shoe game were forever. Admitting the new, not so stylish, shoe attitude I’ve adopted is embarrassing but I have decided to be proactive and do something to get my feet back in the game.

            Most shoe lovers I talk to cannot imagine such a shameful decline into the shoe abyss. I had to give a lot of thought to how this happened to me. How could a woman go from owning a pair of shoes to go with every outfit to a woman who bounces between pairs of black, tan and magenta colored flip flops?

It’s as painful for me to write as it is for you to read.

I could blame my lazy shoe choice on the knee surgery I had back in 2010, but after I recovered, stylish platform shoes lined my closet. I can’t blame it on being a mom. I rocked heels at my baby shower eight months in. It all started when I realized that my feet are tools that need to be protected. I forced myself to believe my feet are just things I need to keep me mobile. I foolishly chose to ignore the beauty in my feet and focus solely on their function. That day is dead and I know now that I can do both.

            The first step to revamping my shoe style was to start appreciating the fly shoe swag of others. Not for biting purposes but for the inspiration and assurance that it is okay to flaunt your feet. I observed the confidence women with sassy shoes exuded as they strut down the street. They walk with their shoulders back and chests held high. Their posture is valiant and pronounced. It’s as if they’ve practiced yoga for years. Then I frequented every shoe store in a 20 mile radius. Wild Pair became an addiction. The ladies at DSW in Fair Lakes know my name. I researched the right shoe for my comfort level and struck up that love affair once again. I practice yoga at least 7 hours a week, but nothing makes me stand taller than a pair of sexy shoes. I flip flopped but this time it’s for the best.

Thrillerfest...and yes it was a THRILL

Where should I begin?

Well I could start with the trip to New York. Also a great time. This year I traveled with Intrigue Publishing as this was the year that they wanted to let everyone know about this new publishing company.

I could start be telling you about the wonderful panels I was in; like, how to write humor in your work which was moderated by Karen Dionne and one of the panelists was Mr. Brad Parks, author of Faces of the Gone. Great novel; and no, I'm not just saying that because I know him and he is cute AND he won a Shamus Award...It really is a great book.

I could be telling you all about Eriq La Salle, yes from ER on NBC. I could be telling you that he is cuter than ever or that he has a voice that drips sexiness from it but I'd rather tell you about his new novel, Laws of Depravity which he wrote based on the accounts of the mass murder of the 12 disciplines of Jesus but set in present day.

I could be telling you all about the Melodie Johnson Howe who was the witch on Bewitched who fell in love with Darren. You can't even imagine when I walked in the room and saw her, my mind instantly went to, "OMG (yes I really did say it) that's the witch that cast the spell on Samantha's husband." Then when I got to take a picture with her...again...OMG!

I could even tell you about meeting Jon Land. Yes, author of Strong Justice and he is a cutie pie as well. I got his book and sent him a friend request the next day and history was made..OK, not history but another friend was made.

OK, well my night wasn't only spent with the cute guys. I actually did talk about myself and got introduced to Steven James. Well actually we were 'breakfast buddies" on Saturday morning and his book Queen was nominated for an award on Saturday. Oh, Steven is an editor and writer for The Writers Digest Magazine.

I could be telling you all of that but what I really wanted to tell you was that I had the best FUN of my life meeting new authors and seeing old friends and making new friends. I had a ball talking about my writing and listening to other writing styles. Oh, and I learned that Brad Parks is a 'pantser" so take that all of your 'outliners". Why is that important you may ask, it is because I am a PANTSER and proud of it. Don't know what it means...well you will need to read my blog in a couple more days to find out what that is.

How is that for a cliff hanger?

Realizing a dream

Sunday, July 22, 2012 is the day that a new author was born.
His name is Bernie D.
Sure he has a last name but it is to hard to say, let alone try to remember how to spell it but this is the day he will never forget.
Today he signed his contract with Intrigue Publishing to become a published author and to realize his dream.
Intrigue Publishing is a small publishing company in Maryland making big moves in the literary world and today it added to it's stable another great author
"I've been on pins and needles for three weeks, waiting for today." he said as he sat down to sign his contract.
He has been excited and his wife has too. Maggie is his dear loving wife who supports her husband like a wife should. She never discouraged him but always encouraged him to finish his novel. Chain of Evidence is a suspense novel that will drag you along for the ride, whether you want to go on it or not.
Today Bernie D and his wife Maggie traveled to Upper Marlboro Maryland to meet with the people who are making his dream a reality.

Today Bernie D became DB Corey.

Yes folks, his author name is going to be DB Corey and it is a very interesting story but one that he will tell you about when he does a guest blog on here in the next couple of weeks. I will also interview him here and he will also be on hand to answer some of your questions. Who knows, his lovely wife Maggie may also have a few answers.

BTW, just in case you are wondering...she had killer shoes on today and I forgot to ask her where they came from. See again, a woman after my own heart.

Sure I have plenty of other news to share with you, namely about the conference that I am working on. C3Conference will be next year, Sept 13-15 to be exact, and I still need to tell you about my weekend at Thrillerfest but that will have to wait for a couple of days because today I wanted you to get the first look at Mr. DB Corey.

Be on the look out for this great new author.

Royalty should have it's perks, Pt.2

Princess needed a day to compose herself, but she is here to finish her post. Please welcome her back.

Like I was saying before emotions overtook me,they moved me into a much smaller castle and then they finally decided that we needed to move on. And now finally, I have taken over my new castle. It is much bigger and has lots of hiding spaces.

They insist on trying to make me behave but after what they put me through, they are lucky that I haven't "stamped" the entire castle.

The one with the spikey shoes is always making loud, annoying noises whenever I try and scratch up the carpet, so I stay clear of her. The one with the deep voice, he doesn't really care at all. So I go and give him the priviledge of petting me every now and again. The one with that likes to play with me the most, she's the push over. So I can do what I want with her. As long as I play with her ever so often, I can scratch until my heart is content. Wait..what's this. Oh No! The spikey heeled one has turned her against me. She is now making that same annoying noise!

She thinks I am going to let her continue to take my picture. I think not.

The fur-less ones are trying to stop me but I will win this battle. They just haven't seen 'all' of my work.

Finding Time...

Today I welcome back Ami Blackwelder.

How many of us have lives that are so busy we rarely have time for ourselves? I mean the cook breakfast for your hubby-run to the car-drive the kids to school-work for money-clean the house-cook the dinner for the family, kinds of girls or guys out there.

          Seriously, I’m talking about the Superwoman and Superman in this world.

          Well, how do we find the time to do it all?

          I’d be the first to confess I was not the best at time management when I first graduated university. 

          No one tells you that the “real” world is not waiting for you and me. That it is a dog-eat-dog world and the first one to the finishing line might not give you a break.

          So, if you don’t become good at time management, cultivating those skills when you are younger, it will only become harder in time.

          Write down what your day looks like on paper. Look it over with a cup of tea, or your favorite beverage. Put the time you start each activity and how long it takes you to do it. Is there a better way to do all of it? A faster way? If you feel overwhelmed, maybe there are certain tasks to do on a certain day and others to do on another? Break up the tasks. Doing everything is not possible, so do what you can and the rest later.

          Make a ‘to do list’. This often helps me. I know I won’t forget what I need done and the weight of it somehow is released, because I no longer have to keep it in my head.

          I like to write days or times next to each ‘to do item’ and then tackle them one at a time. Writing down what you have to do and thinking over how to accomplish the tasks will not only make you feel better, you will be able to get a lot more done. Why? Because you are spending more time accomplishing and less time worrying. Before you know it, it will be done and you will have had no time to worry about getting it all done.

          Well, I hope that helps! But if you still need a distraction at night before you go to bed (or at work ;) please check out my books http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com

Finding Time

In my continuing effort to bring more people to my blog and to give other authors the chance to blog with me. Today I have turned over BSW to Ami Blackwelder. You may know her from her previous two blog posts but today she talks about finding that all elusive thing called Time. Sit back and enjoy and leave a comment at the end, she likes to hear back from you.

How many of us have lives that are so busy we rarely have time for ourselves? I mean the cook breakfast for your hubby-run to the car-drive the kids to school-work for money-clean the house-cook the dinner for the family, kinds of girls or guys out there.

          Seriously, I’m talking about the Superwoman and Superman in this world.

          Well, how do we find the time to do it all?

          I’d be the first to confess I was not the best at time management when I first graduated university. 

          No one tells you that the “real” world is not waiting for you and me. That it is a dog-eat-dog world and the first one to the finishing line might not give you a break.

          So, if you don’t become good at time management, cultivating those skills when you are younger, it will only become harder in time.

Write down what your day looks like on paper. Look it over with a cup of tea, or your favorite beverage. Put the time you start each activity and how long it takes you to do it. Is there a better way to do all of it? A faster way? If you feel overwhelmed, maybe there are certain tasks to do on a certain day and others to do on another? Break up the tasks. Doing everything is not possible, so do what you can and the rest later.

Make a ‘to do list’. This often helps me. I know I won’t forget what I need done and the weight of it somehow is released, because I no longer have to keep it in my head.

          I like to write days or times next to each ‘to do item’ and then tackle them one at a time. Writing down what you have to do and thinking over how to accomplish the tasks will not only make you feel better, you will be able to get a lot more done. Why? Because you are spending more time accomplishing and less time worrying. Before you know it, it will be done and you will have had no time to worry about getting it all done.

          Well, I hope that helps! But if you still need a distraction at night before you go to bed (or at work ;) please check out my books http://amiblackwelder.blogspot.com

CUTE SHOES...

Today I turn over my blog to my guest Delinda McCann. Talk about a kindred spirit....only another shoe person would understand. Happy Reading...

I grew up as a cute shoes person in a sensible shoes household. How did that happen? It was a cruel joke of fate. My parents were of the mistaken opinion that sensible shoes kept your feet warmer or dryer than cute shoes. Wrong. Sensible shoes still get wet and when they do, you cannot easily slip your feet free to rub against each other and get warmed up. Sensible shoes stay wet longer than cute little strappy things that dry out in no time. My parents refused to believe the basic physics involved in the question of whether big clunky shoes stay wet longer than little strappy cute shoes.

I did talk my parents into a few shoes that were not too bad. As a preschooler, I talked them into some cute little red shoes with a strap and buckle for Sunday school. I really wanted black Mary Janes, but I settled for the red strappy shoes and wore them every chance got. Sneaking out of the house in my cute shoes became a major strategy exercise for me as a very small child.

The shoe war raged without compromise until…um…oh…okay…now you will know that I am old. The shoe war raged without compromise until my parents and I agreed on a pair of white bucks. I even had a bunny bag so I could stop what I was doing and powder my shoes at the first sign of a scuff. I remember powdering my shoes in class instead of studying. I think my grades suffered while I powdered my shoes.

My first purchase when I arrived at college was a pair of cute shoes. I was finally free of my parent’s shoe tyranny. I went to the shoe store and bought the cutest pair of sandals you ever saw. From the sandals, I progressed to a pair of darling, plush lined, fur trimmed snow boots for winter.

All of my torment about sensible shoes is long in my past. I’ve had a long history of high heels, straps, buttons and darling laces. It was about four years ago that I learned that cute shoes are therapeutic. I had a small stroke. My physical therapist toldme to exercise by walking on my tip-toes. I asked about high heels. She said, “Yes! Wearing high heels would be very good for restoring my reflexes and balance.” For the first time in my life, I had a great excuse to buy more cute shoes. I got a pair of yellow strappy sandals with a three-inch heel. My new boots had a strong wedge heel. I have the cutest magenta heels that I bought for a wedding shower. Cute shoes are a valid quality of life issue. I credit my cute shoes for helping me regain full balance and strength after my stroke and for bringing a bit of joy into my life every time I look at my feet.

http://www.delindamccann.com

http://delindamccann.blogspot.com

Summer is here....

Well not quite, but oh my goodness! I am as happy as a pig in slop, or maybe as happy as a dog with a bone, or maybe I'm as happy as a kid with candy. No, I got it! I'm as happy as a woman with NEW SHOES!

Oh heck yeah! You have got to love summer! Right, well you don't have to love it, but you have to admit that it is really nice to throw those sweaters in the closet, put those boots away and let your toes breath in a nice pair of stiletto heels!

Imagine my giddiness, and I am sure you can feel it in this post; as I opened up a shoe box with the most incredible shoes ever! My best friend, Denise; ok, maybe I shouldn't use her name, but she has to get her proper due. She gave me the most beautiful pair of tan, strappy heeled shoes, and when I tell you that my feet look INCREDIBLE in them, I aint lying! (you will see, just wait for it)

These shoes came as a surprise gift on my birthday and I can barely stop looking at my own feet! I tell you, I think I am in love. Yes, I know I am in love with these shoes! They are so me! They are 5 inches of sexiness! They are sleek, and they have just the right amount of silver accents to be sexy and not trashy! Snaps! Did I mention that they have snaps! Yep. Instead of buckles or ties, they snap around the ankle! Oh My Gosh! If I could walk down the aisle and marry these shoes, I'd be saying, I do.

I had gotten a deluxe pedicure that day, so to come home and see my new 5 inch stilettos made me a little teary-eyed. (yes, a new pair of shoes makes tears spring to my eyes like a summer shower) #dontjudgeme.
As I slipped my newly polished purple toes into them, I couldn't wait to show them off at work! Trust me when I tell you, the men at my office, went crazy over my new shoes.

Yes, summer is here and boy am I ready! I have my new tan strappy sandels and I bought myself a black pair with a zipper on the back and a bow on the side. Ok, I won't show you that picture until next time. I want you to drink in all of the sexiness of the Strappy Shelly's that I have on. (now you do know I name my shoes, right?)

Now see for yourself. If you don't think these shoes are sexy....well keep that to yourself.


Until next time.

Who do you hang out with?

That is the question you should always ask yourself if you are not surrounded by authors at least 3-5 hours a week or 1-3 days out of the month. Who do I hang out with? Well, I hang out with Author Brad Parks.
I was introduced to Brad (yes, I'm calling him by his first name)about a year ago by another very well known author, Austin S. Camacho. (more about him in a later blog)
I have always thought of myself as a 'go-getter', a social butterfly and yes, even an author 'groupie' (#don't judge me)
However, as an 'author groupie' I have put myself in places to meet the Brad Parks, John Gilstraps, Jeffery Deavers and Austin S. Camacho's in the literary world. Where else would I be sitting in the same room as J.A. Jance and Jeffrey Deavers, listening to them tell jokes and talk about their writing process. (Never heard of J.A. Jance...well shame on you and now you have a homework assignment.
So imagine when I walked up to Brad and said, "hey handsome, can a lowly girl like myself get a picture with someone of your caliber?" and then just for good measure I threw in a sad puppy face and he said, "sure". SCORE!
Now a little about Brad, since I am now one of his most favorite author's. Well, I'm one of his favorite people, OK, well I surely have to be his most favorite author in stilettos.
Brad Parks' debut, Faces of the Gone, won the Nero Award for Best American Mystery and the Shamus Award for Best First Mystery. In doing so, Parks became the first author in the combined 60-year history of the Nero and the Shamus to win both awards for the same book.
Now that should tell you something. Not only am I hanging out with celebrities, but I am hanging out with people that have won awards. (secretly I'm plotting to get that Shamus award but I heard that he has in under lock and key and with a 24 hour guard, and we won't even talk about his interns, but I think I can take Zach...shh, don't tell him I said that...but hey; they have got to sleep sometimes, right?

So, I'll ask you the question again...who do you hang out with? and just in case you don't believe me, check out my picture with Mr. Brad Parks yourself, and notice my belt...I told you, I'm a social butterfly.